Home Invasion Suspect Wanted in Sebastian County

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Sebastian County deputies and state police troopers are searching for a home invasion suspect in the southern portion of the county.

After receiving a frantic call from his wife that someone was trying to break into their house the homeowner called the sheriff’s office around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday to report the burglary in progress, according to Investigator Philip Pevehouse with the sheriff’s office.

He told dispatchers he lost phone contact with his wife. When deputies arrived at the home located in the 6900 block of Highway 252 south of Hackett, they found the woman locked in a bathroom.

The woman told deputies that she was outside her home doing chores earlier int he morning when she noticed a man in her driveway. She asked if he needed assistance and he told her he thought someone else lived there, according to a report from the sheriff's office.

The woman said the man walked back toward the highway, so she went inside her home. About 15 minutes later, she heard her dogs barking in the back of the home so she went to see what was wrong, the report states.

That's when the backdoor of the home flew open and the suspect entered the house, she told deputies.

She said the man grabbed her by her hair and shirt, but she was able to break away from him.

The woman claims she ran through the home, grabbed her phone, locked herself in the bathroom and called for help.

Deputies did not find the suspect when they arrived. Two K9 Units assisted deputies in their search for the man in an area east of Sugarloaf Lake. "We have K9 units that are out trying to obtain a track of the suspect," said Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck.

The suspect is described as a white man, around 6' tall, with brown eyes and dirty dark brown hair. He's believed to be in his 30's. The victim told deputies he had a heavy body odor and was unshaven. The man was last seen wearing a denim blue shirt or jacket, according to deputies.

"Please don't hesitate to call 911 if you have any type of suspicious activity," said Hollenbeck.

If you have any information that would help find this suspect, you're asked to call River Valley Crime Stoppers at (479) 78-CRIME.